The Best Playgrounds in Durham

A good playground can rescue any day out with children, and Durham has some genuinely excellent ones, led by a city-centre park with three separate play areas and skyline views to match. Here is our guide to the best playgrounds in and around Durham, from the standout in the middle of town to family parks a short drive away.

Wharton Park

The pick of the bunch, Wharton Park sits just behind the railway station and packs in three different playgrounds: a toddler area with a roundabout, accessible swings, a climbing wall and balance equipment, a separate playground for older children, and an assault course with outdoor exercise kit. There is also a miniature car track and an app-based dinosaur trail to follow. The toddler area sits right by the heritage centre, which has toilets and a café, and the whole park is a Green Flag winner with some of the best views of the cathedral in the city.

Best for: Best all-round playground in Durham, with something for every age.

Neighbourhood parks

Beyond Wharton Park, the city's residential areas have their own local play areas dotted through them, so wherever you are based there is usually a playground within walking distance, in neighbourhoods such as Gilesgate, Framwellgate Moor, Newton Hall and Belmont. These smaller parks are perfect for a quick after-school run-around, and being free and close to home they are the ones families use day to day.

Best for: Best for a handy local play stop close to home.

Riverside and further afield

The riverbanks around the peninsula give plenty of open, green space for younger children to explore alongside the classic Durham walk, and just north of the city the family attractions at Adventure Valley add extensive outdoor adventure play to their indoor soft play. A little further up the road, the Riverside Park at Chester-le-Street is home to County Durham's only splash pad, which is a brilliant free option for water play on a warm day.

Best for: Best for combining a playground with a walk or a bigger day out.

Making the most of them

Wharton Park is the obvious destination if you want everything in one place, while the neighbourhood parks are ideal for everyday play. Bring a picnic for Wharton Park to make the most of the café and the views, pack a change of clothes for the Chester-le-Street splash pad in summer, and remember that the bigger family attractions charge admission while the local parks are free. Our family things to do in Durham guide has more ideas for days out with children.

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Know a great playground in or around Durham we have missed? Get in touch.